Polymeric fluorescent substance, polymeric fluorescent substance solution and polymer light-emitting device using the same

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a process for producing a polymer light-emitting device, and a polymer light-emitting device (hereinafter, referred to as polymer LED obtainable by said process.

Background Information

[0002] Polymer light-emitting devices (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as inorganic EL device) using an inorganic luminescent material as a light-emitting material are used for example for sheet light sources as back-lights and displays such as aflat panel display; however, an alternating current of high voltage has been required for light emission..

[0003] Recently, there has been reported a polymer light-emitting device (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as organic EL device) having a double-layer structure in which an organic fluorescent dye as a light-emitting layer is laminated with an organic charge transport compound used in photosensitive layer for electrophotography (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 59-194393). Since organic EL devices have characteristics that light emissions of a lot of colors are obtained easily in addition to low voltage driving and high luminance as compared with inorganic EL devices, there have been reported a lot of trials regarding device structures, organic fluorescent dyes and organic charge transport compounds of organic EL devices [Jpn . J. Appl. Phys., 27, L269 (1988), J. Appl. Phys., 65, 3610 (1989)].

[0004] Further, apart from organic EL devices using mainly organic compounds having a lower molecular weight, polymer light-emitting devices using light-emitting materials having a higher molecular weight have been proposed in such as WO 9013148 published specification, JP-A No. 3-244630, Appl. Phys. Lett., 58, 1982 (1991). WO9013148 discloses in the Examples an EL device using a thin film of poly(p-phenylene vinylene) obtained by forming a film of a soluble precursor on the electrode and subjecting it to a heat treatment to convert the precursor into a conjugated polymer.

[0005] Further, JP-A 3-244630 has exemplified conjugated polymers having a feature that they are themselves soluble in a solvent and needs no heat treatment. Also in Appl. Phys. Lett., 58, 1982 (1991), a polymeric light-emitting materials soluble in a solvent and a polymer LED fabricated using the same are described.

[0006] Conventionally, as the light-emitting materials used in these polymer LEDs, in addition to the above-described poly(p-phenylene vinylene), there have been reported polyfluorene (Jpn. J. Appl. Phys., 30, L1941 (1991)), poly p-phenylene derivative (Adv. Mater., 4, 36 (1992)).

[0007] Since polymer LED can be film formed as an organic layer easily by coating with using a soluble polymeric fluorescent substance, it is advantageous to large area formation, or cost lowering, in comparison with the case where a low molecule fluorescent substance is deposited, and as it is a polymer, mechanical strength of the film is also excellent.

[0008] However, even if polymer LED is manufactured with using the same polymeric fluorescent substance, the luminous efficiency of polymer LED may change with manufacture conditions of the polymeric fluorescent substance or the polymeric fluorescent substance solution used for coating etc. Thus a polymeric fluorescent substance or a polymeric fluorescent substance solution which can attain high luminous efficiency as polymer LED has been required.

[0009] EP 0 725 120 A1 discloses polymeric fluorescent substances containing specific repeating units and specific terminals for the application in polymer light-emitting devices.

[0010] EP 0 637 621 A1 discloses polymeric fluorescent substances containing at least three specific repeating units for the application in polymer light-emitting devices.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a polymer LED and a process for producing the same.

[0012] As a result of extensive studies , the present inventors have found that a polymer LED produced using a polymeric fluorescent substance solution containing a specific content of water has a high luminous efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Accordingly, the present invention provides the following:

[1] A process for producing a polymer light-emitting device which comprises at least one light-emitting layer comprising a polymeric fluorescent substance, placed between an anode and a cathode at least one of which is transparent or semi-transparent, which process comprises a step of forming a light emitting layer using a polymeric fluorescent substance solution comprising 0.1 to 5% by weight of a polymeric fluorescent substance which emits fluorescence in the solid state, has a polystyrene-reduced number-average molecular weight of 1 × 10³ to 1 × 10⁷, and has at least one repeating unit of formula (1):

        -Ar₁-(CR₁=CR₂)_k-     (1),

wherein Ar₁ is a divalent group forming carbon-carbon bonds with each of the adjacent two groups, the divalent group is an arylene group having 6 to 60 carbon atoms which participates in conjugation or a heterocyclic group having 4 to 60 carbon atoms which participates in conjugation, and the arylene group and heterocyclic group may further have one or more substituents; each of R₁ and R₂ independently represent a group selected from hydrogen atom, linear, branched or cyclic alkyl groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, aryl groups having 6 to 60 carbon atoms, heterocyclic groups having 4 to 60 carbon atoms and cyano group, and the aryl group and heterocyclic group may further have one or more substituents; and the symbol k is 0 or 1;
and comprising a solvent selected from the group consisting of chloroform, methylene chloride, dichloroethane, tetrahydrofuran, toluene, xylene, mesitylene, decalin and n-butyl benzene;
the water content of the solution being not more than 1000 ppm by weight.

[2] A process according to [1], wherein the polymeric fluorescent substance solution is obtainable by dissolving the polymeric fluorescent substance in a solvent selected from the group consisting of chloroform, methylene chloride, dichloroethane, tetrahydrofuran, toluene, xylene, mesitylene, decalin and n-butyl benzene having a water content of not more than 1000 ppm by weight.

[3] A process according to [1] or [2], the water content of the polymeric fluorescent substance measured by the Karl-Fischer method being not more than 1000 ppm by weight.

[4] A process according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of chloroform, toluene and xylene.

[5] A polymer light-emitting device which comprises at least one light-emitting layer comprising a polymeric fluorescent substance, placed between an anode and a cathode at least one of which is transparent or semi-transparent, wherein the light-emitting device is obtainable by the process of any one of [1] to [4].

[6] A device according to [5], wherein a layer comprising an electron transporting compound is provided between the cathode and a light emitting layer, adjacent to said light emitting layer.

[7] A device according to [5] to [6], wherein a layer comprising a hole transporting compound is provided between the anode and a light emitting layer, adjacent to said light emitting layer.

[8] A sheet light source, segment display apparatus, dot matrix display apparatus, or liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a polymer light-emitting device according to any one of [5], [6] or [7].

[0014] The polymeric fluorescent substance used in the present invention is a polymeric fluorescent substance which emits a fluorescence in solid state and having a number-average molecular weight of 1x10³ to 1x10⁷ in terms of polystyrene, and suitably 1x10⁴ to 1x10⁷. The polymeric fluorescent substance contains at least one repeating unit represented by the above formula (1), and the amount of the repeating unit is suitably from 10 mol% to 100 mol% based on the total amount of the repeating units, more suitably from 50 mol% to 100 mol%, and further suitably from 90 mol% to 100 mol.

[0015] In the above formula (1), Ar₁ is a divalent group forming carbon-carbon bonds with adjacent two groups respectively, the divalent group being an arylene group having 6 to 60 carbon atoms participating in conjugation or a heterocyclic compound group having 4 to 60 carbon atoms participating in conjugation, and the arylene group and heterocyclic compound group may further have a substituent

[0016] Ar₁ can be selected so as not to deteriorate the fluorescence property of the polymeric fluorescent substance, and exemplified are divalent groups below described chemical formulas 3 to 16.

[0017] R represents, each independently, a hydrogen atom, alkyl groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; alkoxy groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; alkylthio groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; alkylsilyl groups having 1 to 60 carbon atoms; alkylamino group having 1 to 40 carbon atoms; aryl groups having 6 to 60 carbon atoms; aryloxy groups having 6 to 60 carbon atoms ; arylalkyl groups having 7 to 60 carbon atoms; arylalkoxy groups having 7 to 60 carbon atoms; arylalkenyl groups having 8 to 60 carbon atoms; arylalkynyl groups having 8 to 60 carbon atoms; arylamino groups having 6 to 60 carbon atoms; heterocyclic compound groups having 3 to 60 carbon atoms and cyano group.

[0018] In the above examples, a plurality of Rs are present in one structural formula, they may be the same or different, and they are selected independently each other. When Ar₁ has a plurality of substituents, they may be the same or different. For enhancing the solubility into a solvent, it is preferable that at least one substituent other than a hydrogen atom is carried, and it is preferable that the symmetric property of the form of a repeating unit including a substituent is low.

[0019] When R₁ is a substituent other than a hydrogen atom or a cyano group, examples of the alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms include methyl group, ethyl group, propyl group, butyl group, pentyl group, hexyl group, heptyl group, octyl group, nonyl group, decyl group, lauryl group. Among them, pentyl group, hexyl group, octyl group, and decyl group are suitable.

[0020] Examples of the alkoxy group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms include methoxy group, ethoxy group, propyloxy group, butoxy group, pentyloxy group, hexyloxy group, heptyloxy group, octyloxy group, nonyloxy group, decyloxy group, lauryl oxy group. Among them, pentyloxy group, hexyloxy group, octyloxy group, and decyloxy group are suitable.

[0021] Examples of the alkylthio group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms include methylthio group, ethylthio group, propylthio group, butylthio group, pentylthio group, hexylthio group, heptylthio group, octylthio group, nonylthio group, decylthio group, laurylthio group. Among them, pentylthio group, hexylthio group, octylthio group, and decylthio group are suitable.

[0022] Examples of alkylsilyl group of 1 to 60 carbon atoms include: methylsilyl group, ethylsilyl group, propylsilyl group, butylsilyl group, pentylsilyl group, hexylsilyl group, heptylsilyl group, octylsilyl group, nonylsilyl group, decylsilyl group, laurylsilyl group, trimethylsilyl group, ethyldimethylsilyl group, propyldimethylsilyl group, butyldimethylsilyl group, pentyldimethylsilyl group, hexyldimethylsilyl group, heptyldimethylsilyl group, octyldimethylsilyl group, nonyldimethylsilyl group, decyldimethylsilyl group, lauryldimethylsilyl group, pentylsilyl group, hexylsilyl group, octylsilyl group, decylsilyl group, pentyldimethylsilyl group, hexyldimethylsilyl group, octyldimethylsilyl group and decyldimethylsilyl group are preferable.

[0023] Examples of alkylamino group having 1-40 carbon atoms include methylamino group, dimethylamino group, ethylamino group, propylamino group, butylamino group,pentylamino group, hexylamino group, heptylamino group, octylamino group, nonylamino group, decylamino group, laurylamino group. Among them, pentylamino group, hexylamino group, octylamino group, and decylamino group are suitable.

[0024] Examples of an aryl group having 6-60 carbon atoms include phenyl group, C₁-C₁₂ alkoxyphenyl group (C₁-C₁₂ represents that the number of carbon atoms are 1-12. Hereinafter, referred to as the same.), C₁-C₁₂ alkylphenyl group, 1-naphtyl group, 2-naphtyl group. Among them, C₁-C₁₂ alkoxyphenyl group, and C₁-C₁₂ alkylphenyl group are suitable.

[0025] Examples of an aryloxy group having 6-60 carbon atoms include phenoxy group, C₁-C₁₂ alkoxyphenoxy group, C₁-C₁₂ alkylphenoxy group, 1-naphtyloxy group, 2-naphtyloxy group. Among them, C₁-C₁₂ alkoxyphenoxy group, and C₁-C₁₂ alkylphenoxy group are suitable.

[0026] Examples of an arylalkyl group having 6-60 carbon atoms include phenyl-C₁-C₁₂ alkyl group, C₁-C₁₂ alkoxyphenyl-C₁-C₁₂ alkyl group, C₁-C₁₂ alkylphenyl-C₁-C₁₂ alkyl group, 1-naphtyl-C₁-C₁₂ alkyl group, 2-naphtyl-C₁-C₁₂ alkyl group. Among them, C₁-C₁₂ alkoxyphenyl-C₁-C₁₂ alkyl group, and C₁-C₁₂ alkylphenyl-C₁-C₁₂ alkyl group are suitable.

[0027] Examples of an arylalkoxy group having 6-60 carbon atoms include phenyl-C₁-C₁₂ alkoxy group, C₁-C₁₂ alkoxyphenyl-C₁-C₁₂ alkoxygroup, C₁-C₁₂ alkylphenyl-C₁-C₁₂ alkoxy group, 1-naphtyl-C₁-C₁₂ alkoxy group, 2-naphtyl-C₁-C₁₂ alkoxy group. Among them, C₁-C₁₂ alkoxyphenyl-C₁-C₁₂ alkoxy group, and C₁-C₁₂ alkylphenyl-C₁-C₁₂ alkoxy group are suitable.

[0028] Examples of an arylamino group having 6-60 carbon atoms include phenylamino group, diphenylamino group, C₁-C₁₂ alkoxyphenylamino group, a di-(C₁-C₁₂ alkoxyphenyl) amino group, a di- (C₁-C₁₂ alkylphenyl) amino group, 1-naphtylamino group, 2-naphtylamino group. Among them, C₁-C₁₂ alkylphenylamino group, and a di-(C₁-C₁₂ alkylphenyl) amino group are suitable.

[0029] Examples of a heterocyclic compound group having 4-60 carbon atoms include thienyl group, C₁-C₁₂ alkylthienyl group, pyroryl group, furyl group, pyridyl group, C₁-C₁₂ alkylpyridyl group. Among them, thienyl group, C₁-C₁₂ alkylthienyl group, pyridyl group, and C₁-C₁₂ alkylpyridyl group are suitable.

[0030] Among the examples of R, the substituent containing an alkyl chain can be either of linear, branched, or cyclic one, or the combination thereof. When it is not linear, exemplified are isoamyl group, 2-ethylhexyl group, 3,7-dimethyloctyl group, cyclohexyl group, 4-C₁-C₁₂ alkylcyclohexyl group. In order to improve the solubility to solvent of a polymeric fluorescent substance, it is suitable that a cyclic or branched alkyl chain is contained in one or more of the substituents Ar₁. Moreover, carbon atoms of a part of alkyl chain may be replaced by a group containing a hetero atom. Examples of hetero atoms include an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a nitrogen atom. Furthermore, among the examples of R, when an aryl group or a heterocyclic compound group is contained in the part, they can contain one or more substituents.

[0031] In the above formula (1), the symbol k is 0 or 1. R₁, R₂ in the above formula (1) represent each independently, a group selected from a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1-20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6-60, preferably 6-20, carbon atoms, a heterocyclic compound group having 4-60, preferably 4-20, carbon atoms and cyano group.

[0032] When R₁, R₂ are substituents other than a hydrogen atom or a cyano group, examples of an alkyl group having 1-20 carbon atoms include methyl group, ethyl group, propyl group, butyl group, pentyl group, hexyl group, heptyl group, octyl group, nonyl group, decyl group, and lauryl group. Among them, methyl group, ethyl group, pentyl group, hexyl group, heptyl group, and octyl group are suitable.

[0033] Examples of an aryl group having 6-20 carbon atoms include phenyl group, C₁-C₁₂ alkoxyphenyl group, C₁-C₁₂ alkylphenyl group, 1-naphtyl group, 2-naphtyl group. Among them, phenyl group, and C₁-C₁₂ alkylphenyl group are suitable.

[0034] Examples of a heterocyclic compound group having 4-20 carbon atoms include thienyl group, C₁-C₁₂ alkylthienyl group, pyrrolyl group, furyl group, pyridyl group, C₁-C₁₂ alkylpyridyl group. Among them, thienyl group, C₁-C₁₂ alkylthienyl group, pyridyl group, C₁-C₁₂ alkylpyridyl group are suitable.

[0035] Moreover, as for the end group of a polymeric fluorescent substance, if the polymerizable group remains as it is, the light-emitting property and lifetime of a device using thereof may fall, and it can be protected by a stable group.

[0036] Preferable is a conjugated bond successively connected to the conjugated structure of the main chain. For example, structures bonding to an aryl group or a heterocyclic compound group through vinylene group are included. Specifically, a substituent such as the chemical formula 10 described in JP-A 9-45478 is exemplified.

[0037] For synthesizing this polymeric fluorescent substance, when the main chain has vinylene groups, there are exemplified methods described in JP-A No. 5-202355. Namely, there are exemplified polymerization of dialdehyde compounds with diphosphonium salt compounds by Wittig reaction, polymerization of divinyl compounds with dihalogen compounds or polymerization of vinylhalogen compound itself by Heck reaction, polymerization of dialdehyde compounds with bisphosphate ester compounds by Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons method, condensation polymerization by dehydrogehation method of a compound having two methyl halide groups, condensation polymerization by sulfonium salt decomposition method of a compound having two sulfonium base group, polymerization of dialdehyde compounds with diacetonitrile compounds by the Knoevenagel reaction, polymerization of dialdehyde compounds by McMurry reaction.

[0038] Further, when the main chain does not have a vinylene group, there are exemplified a method in which polymerization is conducted from the corresponding monomer by the Suzuki coupling reaction, a method in which polymerization is conducted by the Grignard reaction, a method in which polymerization is conducted using a Ni(0) catalyst, a method in which polymerization is conducted using an oxidizing agents such as FeCl₃, a method in which oxidation polymerization is conducted electrochemically, a method in which an intermediate polymer having a suitable releasing group is decomposed.

[0039] This polymeric fluorescent substance may contain other repeating unit than the repeating unit of the formula (1) in the range wherein luminescent property and charge transport property do not deteriorate. The repeating unit of the formula (1) or other unit than the repeating unit of the formula (1) may be connected via a non-conjugated unit, or such non-conjugated part may be also contained in the repeating unit. As the linkage structure, there are exemplified those shown in the following chemical formula 17, combinations of those shown in the following chemical formula 17 with a vinylene group, combinations of two or more of those shown in the following chemical formula 17. Herein, R's each independently represents a group selected from the group exemplified above, and Ar represents a hydrocarbon group of 6 to 60 carbon atoms. Specific examples of these groups are the same as those exemplified above.

[0040] This polymeric fluorescent substance may also be a random, block or graft copolymer, or a polymer having an intermediate structure thereof, for example, a random copolymer having blocking property. From the viewpoint for obtaining a polymeric fluorescent substance having high fluorescent quantum yield, random copolymers having blocking property and block or graft copolymers are more preferable than complete random copolymers. Dendrimers or copolymers having branching in the main chain and having three or more terminals are also included.

[0041] Further, as the polymeric fluorescent substance, those emitting fluorescence in a solid state are suitably used, since the material utilizes light emission from a thin film.

[0042] As good solvents for the polymeric fluorescent substance, there are exemplified chloroform, methylene chloride, dichloroethane, tetrahydrofuran, toluene, xylene, mesitylene, tetralin, decalin, n-butylbenzene. The polymeric fluorescent substance can be usually dissolved in these solvents in an amount of 0.1 wt % or more, though the amount differs depending on the structure and molecular weight of the polymeric fluorescent substance. The solubility of the polymeric fluorescent substance in a poor solvent is generally less than 0.1 wt%.

[0043] The polymeric fluorescent substance has a number-average molecular weight of 1 × 10³ to 1 × 10⁷ in terms of polystyrene, and the degree of polymerization thereof also changes depending on repeating structures and proportion thereof. In view of film forming property, generally the total amount of repeating structures is preferably from 20 to 10000, more preferably from 30 to 10000, particularly preferably from 50 to 5000. The number-average molecular weight in terms of polystyrene means the polystyrene-reduced number-average molecular weight. In the present invention, polystyrene-reduced number-average molecular weight is measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using chloroform as a solvent.

[0044] When these polymeric fluorescent substances are used as a light-emitting material of a polymer LED, the purity thereof exerts an influence on light-emitting property, therefore, it is preferable that a monomer before polymerization is purified by a method such as distillation, sublimation purification, re-crystallization. before being polymerized and further, it is preferable to conduct a purification treatment such as re-precipitation purification, chromatographic separation after the synthesis.

[0045] In the polymeric fluorescent substance of the present invention, the amount of water content is suitably not more than 1000 ppm (weight), more suitably not more than 500 ppm (weight), and further suitably not more than 50 ppm (weight).

[0046] Water content is measured by Karl Fischer method. Other various methods conventionally used, for example, weight measurement method of heat-drying by infrared radiation can be used conveniently.

[0047] When a polymeric fluorescent substance is soluble in a solvent for water content measurement of Karl Fischer method, the fluorescent substance can be used as in solid state for water content measurement. When a polymeric fluorescent substance is not easily soluble in a solvent for water content measurement of Karl Fischer method, the fluorescent substance is dissolved in another solvent which can dissolve said fluorescent substance well enough and is well dried, then the water content of the solution is measured by Karl Fischer method, and the water content of the fluorescent substance can be obtained.

[0048] AS a method for lowering the water content, various methods are applicable in each step of taking out, washing, drying at the time of manufacturing a polymeric fluorescent substance. For example, after the preparation of a polymeric fluorescent substance, taking out treatment is conducted by using a dried solvent under dryness atmosphere at the time of taking out. As the washing method, method of washing a polymeric fluorescent substance using a water-repellent solvent etc. can be considered. As the drying method, heat-drying, reduced pressure- or vacuum-drying, and combination thereof are exemplified.

[0049] The polymeric fluorescent substance solution contains 0.1 to 5 % by weight of a polymeric fluorescent substance and the water content is not more than 1000 ppm (weight) preferably not more than 500 ppm (weight). The water content also can be measured by Karl Fischer method.

[0050] The polymeric fluorescent substance solution is suitably prepared by dissolving a polymeric fluorescent substance in a solvent having the water content of 1000 ppm (weight) or less. The method for producing the polymeric fluorescent substance solution is not especially limited as long as the method which can make the water content of the solution 1000 ppm (weight) or less.

[0051] For example, (a) a method for obtaining a polymeric fluorescent substance solution, wherein the water content of the polymeric fluorescent substance solution is controlled to be below 1000 ppm (weight) by mixing the polymeric fluorescent substance and the solvent with adjusting the water content thereof beforehand, or (b) a method of drying a polymeric fluorescent substance solution by well-known various methods etc. is exemplified.

[0052] In the method of the above (b), it is suitable to use a solvent whose water content is below 1000 ppm (weight). It is more suitable to use a polymeric fluorescent substance having the specific water content and a solvent having the water content of 1000 ppm (weight) or less.

[0053] The polymer LED of the present invention comprises at least one light-emitting layer comprising a polymeric fluorescent substance, placed between an anode and a cathode at least one of which is transparent or semitransparent, wherein the light emitting device is obtainable by the process of the present invention.

[0054] As the polymer LED of the present invention, there are listed polymer LEDs having an electron-transporting layer disposed between a cathode and a light-emitting layer, polymer LEDs having a hole-transporting layer disposed between an anode and a light-emitting layer, polymer LEDs having an electron-transporting layer disposed between a cathode and a light-emitting layer and having a hole-transporting layer disposed between an anode and a light-emitting layer.

[0055] For example, the following structures a) to d) are specifically exemplified.

a) anode/light-emitting layer/cathode

b) anode/hole-transporting layer/light-emitting layer/cathode

c) anode/light-emitting layer/electron-transporting layer/ /cathode

d) anode/hole-transporting layer/light-emitting layer/electron-transporting layer/cathode (wherein, "/" indicates adjacent lamination of layers. Hereinafter, referred to as the same)

[0056] Herein, the light-emitting layer is a layer having function to emit a light, the hole-transporting layer is a layer having function to transport a hole, and the electron-transporting layer is a layer having function to transport an electron. Herein, the electron-transporting layer and the hole-transporting layer are generically called a charge-transporting layer.

[0057] The light-emitting layer, hole-transporting layer and electron-transporting layer may also each independently used in two or more layers.

[0058] Of charge-transporting layers disposed adjacent to an electrode, that having function to improve charge-injecting efficiency from the electrode and having effect to decrease driving voltage of an device are particularly called sometimes a charge-injecting layer (hole-injecting layer, electron-injecting layer) in general.

[0059] For enhancing adherence with an electrode and improving charge injection from an electrode, the above-described charge-injecting layer or insulation layer having a thickness of 2 nm or less may also be provided adjacent to an electrode, and further, for enhancing adherence of the interface, preventing mixing, a thin buffer layer may also be inserted into the interface of a charge-transporting layer and light-emitting layer.

[0060] The order and number of layers laminated and the thickness of each layer can be appropriately applied while considering light-emitting efficiency and life of the device.

[0061] In the present invention, as the polymer LED having a charge-injecting layer (electron-injecting layer, hole-injecting layer) provided, there are listed a polymer LED having a charge-injecting layer provided adjacent to a cathode and a polymer LED having a charge-injecting layer provided adjacent to an anode.

[0062] For example, the following structures e) to p) are specifically exemplified.

e) anode/charge-injecting layer/light-emitting layer/cathode

f) anode/light-emitting layer/charge injecting layer/cathode

g) anode/charge-injecting layer/light-emitting layer/charge-injecting layer/cathode

h) anode/charge-injecting layer/hole-transporting layer/light-emitting layer/cathode

i) anode/hole-transporting layer/light-emitting layer/charge-injecting layer/cathode

j) anode/charge-injecting layer/hole-transporting layer/light-emitting layer/charge-injecting layer/cathode

k) anode/charge-injecting layer/light-emitting layer/electron-transporting layer/cathode

l) anode/light-emitting layer/electron-transporting layer/charge-injecting layer/cathode

m) anode/charge-injecting layer/light-emitting layer/electron-transporting layer/charge-injecting layer/cathode

n) anode/charge-injecting layer/hole-transporting layer/light-emitting layer/electron-transporting layer/cathode

o) anode/hole-transporting layer/light-emitting layer/electron-transporting layer/charge-injecting layer/cathode

p) anode/charge-injecting layer/hole-transporting layer/light-emitting layer/electron-transporting layer/charge-injecting layer/cathode

[0063] As the specific examples of the charge-injecting layer, there are exemplified layers containing an conducting polymer, layers which are disposed between an anode and a hole-transporting layer and contain a material having an ionization potential between the ionization potential of an anode material and the ionization potential of a hole-transporting material contained in the hole-transporting layer, layers which are disposed between a cathode and an electron-transporting layer and contain a material having an electron affinity between the electron affinity of a cathode material and the electron affinity of an electron-transporting material contained in the electron-transporting layer.

[0064] When the above-described charge-injecting layer is a layer containing an conducting polymer, the electric conductivity of the conducting polymer is preferably 10^-5 S/cm or more and 10³ S/cm or less , and for decreasing the leak current between light-emitting pixels, more preferably 10^-5 S/cm or more and 10² S/cm or less, further preferably 10^-5 S/cm or more and 10¹ S/cm or less.

[0065] Usually, to provide an electric conductivity of the conducting polymer of 10^-5 S/cm or more and 10³ S/cm or less, a suitable amount of ions are doped into the conducting polymer.

[0066] Regarding the kind of an ion doped, an anion is used in a hole-injecting layer and a cation is used in an electron-injecting layer. As examples of the anion, a polystyrene sulfonate ion, alkylbenzene sulfonate ion, camphor sulfonate ion are exemplified, and as examples of the cation, a lithium ion, sodium ion, potassium ion, tetrabutyl ammonium ion are exemplified.

[0067] The thickness of the charge-injecting layer is for example, from 1 nm to 100 nm, preferably from 2 nm to 50 nm.

[0068] Materials used in the charge-injecting layer may properly be selected in view of relation with the materials of electrode and adjacent layers, and there are exemplified conducting polymers such as polyaniline and derivatives thereof, polythiophene and derivatives thereof, polypyrrole and derivatives thereof, poly(phenylene vinylene) and derivatives thereof, poly(thienylene vinylene) and derivatives thereof, polyquinoline and derivatives thereof, polyquinoxaline and derivatives thereof, polymers containing aromatic amine structures in the main chain or the side chain , and the like, and metal phthalocyanine (copper phthalocyanine ), carbon.

[0069] The insulation layer having a thickness of 2 nm or less has function to make charge injection easy. As the material of the above-described insulation layer, metal fluoride, metal oxide, organic insulation materials are listed. As the polymer LED having an insulation layer having a thickness of 2 nm or less, there are listed polymer LEDs having an insulation layer having a thickness of 2 nm or less provided adjacent to a cathode, and polymer LEDs having an insulation layer having a thickness of 2 nm or less provided adjacent to an anode.

[0070] Specifically, there are listed the following structures q) to ab) for example.

q) anode/insulation layer having a thickness of 2 nm or less/light-emitting layer/cathode

r) anode/light-emitting layer/insulation layer having a thickness of 2 nm or less/cathode

s) anode/insulation layer having a thickness of 2 nm or less/light-emitting layer/insulation layer having a thickness of 2 nm or less/cathode

t) anode/insulation layer having a thickness of 2 nm or less/hole-transporting layer/light-emitting layer/cathode

u) anode/hole-transporting layer/light-emitting layer/insulation layer having a thickness of 2 nm or less/cathode

v) anode/insulation layer having a thickness of 2 nm or less/hole-transporting layer/light-emitting layer/insulation layer having a thickness of 2 nm or less/cathode

w) anode/insulation layer having a thickness of 2 nm or less/light-emitting layer/electron-transporting layer/cathode

x) anode/light-emitting layer/electron-transporting layer/insulation layer having a thickness of 2 nm or less/cathode

y) anode/insulation layer having a thickness of 2 nm or less/light-emitting layer/electron-transporting layer/insulation layer having a thickness of 2 nm or less/cathode

z) anode/insulation layer having a thickness of 2 nm or less/hole-transporting layer/light-emitting layer/electron-transporting layer/cathode

aa) anode/hole-transporting layer/light-emitting layer/electron-transporting layer/insulation layer having a thickness of 2 nm or less/cathode

ab) anode/insulation layer having a thickness of 2 nm or less/hole-transporting layer/light-emitting layer/electron-transporting layer/insulation layer having a thickness of 2 nm or less/cathode

[0071] In producing a polymer LED, when a film is formed from a solution by using such polymeric fluorescent substance soluble in an organic solvent, only required is removal of the solvent by drying after coating of this solution, and even in the case of mixing of a charge-transporting material and a light-emitting material, the same method can be applied, causing an extreme advantage in production. As the film forming method from a solution, there can be used coating methods such as a spin coating method, casting method, micro gravure coating method, gravure coating method, bar coating method, roll coating method, wire bar coating method, dip coating method, spray coating method, screen printing method, flexo printing method, offset printing method, inkjet printing method.

[0072] Regarding the thickness of the light-emitting layer, the optimum value differs depending on material used, and may properly be selected so that the driving voltage and the light-emitting efficiency become optimum values, and for example, it is from 1 nm to 1 µm, preferably from 2 nm to 500 nm, further preferably from 5 nm to 200 nm.

[0073] In the polymer LED of the present invention, light-emitting materials other than the above-described polymeric fluorescent substance can also be mixed in a light-emitting layer. Further, in the polymer LED of the present invention, the light-emitting layer containing light-emitting materials other than the above-described polymeric fluorescent substance may also be laminated with a light-emitting layer containing the above-described polymeric fluorescent substance.

[0074] As the light-emitting material, known materials can be used. In a compound having lower molecular weight, there can be used, for example, naphthalene derivatives, anthracene or derivatives thereof, perylene or derivatives thereof ; dyes such as polymethine dyes, xanthene dyes, coumarine dyes, cyanine dyes; metal complexes of 8-hydroxyquinoline or derivatives thereof, aromatic amine, tetraphenylcyclopentane or derivatives thereof, or tetraphenylbutadiene or derivatives thereof.

[0075] Specifically, there can be used known compounds such as those described in JP-A Nos. 57-51781, 59-195393 for example.

[0076] When the polymer LED of the present invention has a hole-transporting layer, as the hole-transporting materials used, there are exemplifiedpolyvinylcarbazole or derivatives thereof, polysilane or derivatives thereof, polysiloxane derivatives having an aromatic amine in the side chain or the main chain, pyrazoline derivatives, arylamine derivatives, stilbene derivatives, triphenyldiamine derivatives, polyaniline or derivatives thereof, polythiophene or derivatives thereof, polypyrrole or derivatives thereof, poly(p-phenylenevinylene) or derivatives thereof, poly(2,5-thienylenevinylene) or derivatives thereof.

[0077] Specific examples of the hole-transporting material include those described in JP-A Nos. 63-70257, 63-175860, 2-135359, 2-135361, 2-209988, 3-37992 and 3-152184.

[0078] Among them, as the hole-transporting materials used in the hole-transporting layer, preferable are polymer hole-transporting materials such as polyvinylcarbazole or derivatives thereof, polysilane or derivatives thereof, polysiloxane derivatives having an aromatic amine compound group in the side chain or the main chain, polyaniline or derivatives thereof, polythiophene or derivatives thereof, poly(p-phenylenevinylene) or derivatives thereof, poly(2,5-thienylenevinylene) or derivatives thereof, and further preferable are polyvinylcarbazole or derivatives thereof, polysilane or derivatives thereof and polysiloxane derivatives having an aromatic amine compound group in the side chain or the main chain. In the case of a hole-transporting material having lower molecular weight, it is preferably dispersed in a polymer binder for use.

[0079] Polyvinylcarbazole or derivatives thereof are obtained, for example, by cation polymerization or radical polymerization from a vinyl monomer.

[0080] As the polysilane or derivatives thereof, there are exemplified compounds described in Chem. Rev., 89, 1359 (1989) and GB 2300196 published specification. For . synthesis, methods described in them can be used, and a Kipping method can be suitably used particularly.

[0081] As the polysiloxane or derivatives thereof, those having the structure of the above-describedhole-transporting material having lower molecular weight in the side chain or main chain, since the siloxane skeleton structure has poor hole-transporting property. Particularly, there are exemplified those having an aromatic amine having hole-transporting property in the side chain or main chain.

[0082] The method for forming a hole-transporting layer is not restricted, and in the case of a hole-transporting layer having lower molecular weight, a method in which the layer is formed from a mixed solution with a polymer binder is exemplified. In the case of a polymer hole-transporting material, a method in which the layer is formed from a solution is exemplified.

[0083] The solvent used for the film forming from a solution is not particularly restricted providing it can dissolve a hole-transporting material. As the solvent, there are exemplified chlorine solvents such as chloroform, methylene chloride, dichloroethane, ether solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, aromatic hydrocarbon solvents such as toluene, xylene and the like, ketone solvents such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone and the like, and ester solvents such as ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, ethylcellosolve acetate.

[0084] As the film forming method from a solution, there can be used coating methods such as a spin coating method, casting method, micro gravure coating method, gravure coating method, bar coating method, roll coating method, wire bar coating method, dip coating method, spray coating method, screen printing method, flexo printing method, offset printing method, inkjet printing method, from a solution.

[0085] The polymer binder mixed is preferably that does not disturb charge transport extremely, and that does not have strong absorption of a visible light is suitably used. As such polymer binder, polycarbonate, polyacrylate, poly(methyl acrylate), poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene, poly(vinyl chloride), polysiloxane and the like are exemplified.

[0086] Regarding the thickness of the hole-transporting layer, the optimum value differs depending on material used, and may properly be selected so that the driving voltage and the light-emitting efficiency become optimum values, and at least a thickness at which no pin hole is produced is necessary, and too large thickness is not preferable since the driving voltage of the device increases. Therefore, the thickness of the hole-transporting layer is, for example, from 1 nm to 1 µm, preferably from 2 nm to 500 nm, further preferably from 5 nm to 200 nm.

[0087] When the polymer LED of the present invention has an electron-transporting layer, known compounds are used as the electron-transporting materials, and there are exemplified oxadiazole derivatives, anthraquinonedimethane or derivatives thereof, benzoquinone or derivatives thereof, naphthoquinone or derivatives thereof, anthraquinone or derivatives thereof, tetracyanoanthraquinodimethane or derivatives thereof, fluorenone derivatives, diphenyldicyanoethylene or derivatives thereof, diphenoquinone derivatives, or metal complexes of 8-hydroxyquinoline or derivatives thereof.

[0088] Specifically, there are exemplified those described in JP-A Nos. 63-70257, 63-175860, 2-135359, 2-135361, 2-209988, 3-37992 and 3-152184.

[0089] Among them, oxadiazole derivatives, benzoquinone or derivatives thereof, anthraquinone or derivatives thereof, or metal complexes of 8-hydroxyquinoline or derivatives thereof are preferable, and 2-(4-biphenyl)-5-(4-t-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole, benzoquinone, anthraquinone, tris(8-quinolinol)aluminum and polyquinoline are further preferable.

[0090] The method for forming the electron-transporting layer is not particularly restricted, and in the case of an electron-transporting material having lower molecular weight, a vapor deposition method from a powder, or a method of film-forming from a solution or a melted state is exemplified, and in the case of a polymer electron-transporting material, a method of film-forming from a solution or a melted state is exemplified, respectively. In case of film forming from a solution or a melted state, polymer binders may be used together.

[0091] The solvent used in the film-forming from a solution is not particularly restricted provided it can dissolve electron-transporting materials and/or polymer binders. As the solvent, there are exemplified chlorine solvents such as chloroform, methylene chloride, dichloroethane and the like, ether solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, aromatic hydrocarbon solvents such as toluene, xylene and the like, ketone solvents such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone , and ester solvents such as ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, ethylcellosolve acetate.

[0092] As the film-forming method from a solution or melted state, there can be used coating methods such as a spin coating method, casting method, micro gravure coating method, gravure coating method, bar coating method, roll coating method, wire bar coating method, dip coating method, spray coating method, screen printing method, flexo printing method, offset printing method, inkjet printing method.

[0093] The polymer binder to be mixed is preferably that which does not extremely disturb a charge transport property, and that does not have strong absorption of a visible light is suitably used. As such polymer binder, poly(N-vinylcarbazole), polyaniline or derivatives thereof, polythiophene or derivatives thereof, poly(p-phenylene vinylene) or derivatives thereof, poly(2,5-thienylene vinylene) or derivatives thereof, polycarbonate, polyacrylate, poly(methyl acrylate), poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene, poly(vinyl chloride), polysiloxane are exemplified.

[0094] Regarding the thickness of the electron-transporting layer, the optimum value differs depending on material used, and may properly be selected so that the driving voltage and the light-emitting efficiency become optimum values, and at least a thickness at which no pin hole is produced is necessary, and too large thickness is not preferable since the driving voltage of the device increases. Therefore, the thickness of the electron-transporting layer is, for example, from 1 nm to 1 µm, preferably from 2 nm to 500 nm, further preferably from 5 nm to 200 nm.

[0095] The substrate forming the polymer LED of the present invention may preferably be that does not change in forming an electrode and layers of organic materials and in electrolysis doping as well, and there are exemplified glass, plastics, polymer film, silicon substrates. In the case of an opaque substrate, it is preferable that the opposite electrode is transparent or semitransparent.

[0096] In the present invention, it is preferable that an anode is transparent or semitransparent, and as the material of this anode, electron conductive metal oxide films, semitransparent metal thin films are used. Specifically, there are used indium oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, and films (NESA and the like) fabricated by using an electron conductive glass composed of indium · tin · oxide (ITO), indium · zinc · oxide, which are metal oxide complexes, and gold, platinum, silver, copper are used, and among them, ITO, indium · zinc · oxide, tin oxide are preferable. As the fabricating method, a vacuum vapor deposition method, sputtering method, ion plating method, plating method are used. As the anode, there may also be used organic transparent conducting films such as polyaniline or derivatives thereof, polythiophene or derivatives thereof.

[0097] The thickness of the anode can be appropriately selected while considering transmission of a light and electric conductivity, and for example, from 10 nm to 10 µ m, preferably from 20 nm to 1 µm, further preferably from 50 nm to 500 nm.

[0098] Further, for easy charge injection, there may be provided on the anode a layer comprising a phthalocyanine derivative conducting polymers, carbon, or a layer having an average film thickness of 2 nm or less comprising a metal oxide, metal fluoride, organic insulating material.

[0099] As the material of a cathode used in the polymer LED of the present invention, that having lower work function is preferable. For example, there are used metals such as lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, aluminum, scandium, vanadium, zinc, yttrium, indium, cerium, samarium, europium, terbium, ytterbium, or alloys comprising two of more of them, or alloys comprising one or more of them with one or more of gold, silver, platinum, copper, manganese, titanium, cobalt, nickel, tungsten and tin, graphite or graphite intercalation compounds. Examples of alloys include a magnesium-silver alloy, magnesium-indium alloy, magnesium-aluminum alloy, indium-silver alloy, lithium-aluminum alloy, lithium-magnesium alloy, lithium-indium alloy, calcium-aluminum alloy. The cathode may be formed into a laminated structure of two or more layers.

[0100] The thickness of the cathode can be appropriately selected while considering transmission of a light and electric conductivity, and for example, from 10 nm to 10 µ m, preferably from 20 nm to 1 µm, further preferably from 50 nm to 500 nm.

[0101] As the method for fabricating a cathode, there are used a vacuum vapor deposition method, sputtering method, lamination method in which a metal thin film is adhered under heat and pressure. Further, there may also be provided, between a cathode and an organic layer, a layer comprising an conducting polymer, or a layer having an average film thickness of 2 nm or less comprising a metal oxide, metal fluoride, organic insulation material, and after fabrication of the cathode, a protective layer may also be provided which protects the polymer LED. For stable use of the polymer LED for a long period of time, it is preferable to provide a protective layer and/or protective cover for protection of the device in order to prevent it from outside damage.

[0102] As the protective layer, there can be used a polymer compound, metal oxide, metal fluoride, metal borate. As the protective cover, there can be used a glass plate, a plastic plate the surface of which has been subjected to lower-water-permeation treatment, and there is suitably used a method in which the cover is pasted with an device substrate by a thermosetting resin or light-curing resin for sealing. If space is maintained using a spacer, it is easy to prevent an device from being injured. If an inner gas such as nitrogen and argon is sealed in this space, it is possible to prevent oxidation of a cathode, and further, by placing a desiccant such as barium oxide in the above-described space, it is easy to suppress the damage of an device by moisture adhered in the production process. Among them, any one means or more are preferably adopted.

[0103] For obtaining light emission in plane form using the polymer LED of the present invention, an anode and a cathode in the plane form may properly be placed so that they are laminated each other. Further, for obtaining light emission in pattern form, there are a method in which a mask with a window in pattern form is placed on the above-described plane light-emitting device, a method in which an organic layer in non-light emission part is formed to obtain extremely large thickness providing substantial non-light emission, and a method in which any one of an anode or a cathode, or both of them are formed in the pattern. By forming a pattern by any of these methods and by placing some electrodes so that independent on/off is possible, there is obtained a display device of segment type which can display digits, letters, simple marks. Further, for forming a dot matrix device, it may be advantageous that anodes and cathodes are made in the form of stripes and placed so that they cross at right angles. By a method in which a plurality of kinds of polymeric fluorescent substances emitting different colors of lights are placed separately or a method in which a color filter or luminescence converting filter is used, area color displays and multi color displays are obtained.

[0104] A dot matrix display can be driven by passive driving, or by active driving combined with TFT. These display devices can be used as a display of a computer, television, portable terminal, portable telephone, car navigation, view finder of a video camera.

[0105] Further, the above-described light-emitting device in plane form is a thin self-light-emitting one, and can be suitably used as a sheet light source for back-light of a liquid crystal display, or as a sheet light source for illumination. Further, if a flexible plate is used, it can also be used as a curved light source or a display.

[0106] The process for producing the polymer LED of the present invention comprises a step of forming a light emitting layer by using the polymeric fluorescent substance solution of the present invention, wherein the polymer light-emitting device comprises at least one light-emitting layer containing a polymeric fluorescent substance, placed between a pair of an anode and a cathode at least one of which is transparent or semi-transparent, wherein, the light-emitting layer contains a polymeric fluorescent substance having at least one repeating unit of the formula (1). As the method for forming a light emitting layer, a method of film forming from the above mentioned solution can be used.

EXAMPLES

[0107] The following examples further illustrate the present invention in detail but do not limit the scope thereof.

[0108] Herein, regarding the number average molecular weight, a number average molecular weight in terms of polystyrene was measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using chloroform as a solvent.

Example 1

<Synthesis of polymeric fluorescent substance 1>

[0109] 1.83 g of 2,5-bis (chloromethyl)-4'-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy) biphenyl, 1.63 g of 2-methyl-5- (3,7-dimethyloctyl)-p-xylylene dibromide, and 0.244 g of 2-methoxy-5- (2-ethylhexyloxy)-p-xylylene dichloride were dissolved in 660 g of dehydrated 1,4-dioxane. The system was purged with nitrogen by bubbling nitrogen through this solution for 20 minutes, then, the solution was heated up to 95°C under nitrogen atmosphere. To this solution was added dropwise, over about 10 minutes, a solution prepared previously by dissolving 4.7 g of potassium t-butoxide in 80 g of dehydrated 1,4 -dioxane. After the addition, they were polymerized for 2.5 hours at 97°C.

[0110] After the polymerization, the polymerized solution was cooled to 50°C, then, neutralized by addition of acetic acid. After cooling to room temperature, this polymerized solution was poured into 800 g of methanol, and the produced precipitate was recovered. This precipitate was washed with ethanol, then, dried under reduced pressure. 1.5 g of the resulted polymer was dissolved in 400 g of THF. This solution was poured into 800 g of methanol, and the produced precipitate was recovered. This precipitate was washed with ethanol, then, dried under reduced pressure to obtain 1.4 g of a polymer. This polymer is called Polymeric fluorescent substance 1. Polymeric fluorescent substance 1 had a number-average molecular weight of 2 × 10⁵.

<Synthesis of Polymeric fluorescent substance 2>

[0111] 0.66g of diphosphonate obtained by reacting 1,4-bis(chloromethyl)-2-{4'-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)phenyl }benzene with triethyl phosphite, 0.11g of diphosphonate obtained by reacting 2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethyl hexyloxy)-p-xylylene dichloride with triethyl phosphite, and 0.50g of 1,4-diformyl-2-(4'-(3, 7-dimethyloctyloxy)phenyl}benzene were dissolved in 30 g of THF (dehydrated), and the atmosphere of the system was substituted with nitrogen. Into this solution, a half amount of a solution was added dropwise for about 20 minutes, wherein the solution was prepared by dissolving 0.46g of tertiary butoxy potassium in 15ml of THF(dehydrated), and nitrogen gas substitution was conducted by bubbling with nitrogen gas. After the dropwise addition, the reaction was continued at a room temperature for 1 hour. And then, the remaining half of tertiaty butoxy potassium solution was added in this reaction solution. After the addition, further reaction was conducted at a room temperature for 2 hours. Meanwhile, the above reactions were conducted under nitrogen gas atmosphere.

[0112] Next, it was neutralized by addition of acetic acid. In this solution, methanol was added and recovered precipitate. After washing with ethanol, the precipitate was dried under reduced pressure to obtain 0.74g of a polymer.

[0113] Then, after dissolving the precipitate in small amount of chloroform, the precipitate was reprecipitated with methanol. The resultant resultant precipitate was washed with ethanol , and dried under reduced pressure to obtain 0.65g of a polymer. The resultant polymer is called Polymeric fluorescent substance 2.

[0114] The number average molecular weight in terms of polystyrene of this Polymeric fluorescent substance 2 was 2.2×10⁴.

<A synthesis of a polymeric fluorescent substance 3>

[0115] 0.41g of 4-bis(chloromethyl)-2-{4'-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)phenylybenzene, 0.184g of 1,4-bis(bromomethyl)-2-(dimethyloctylsilyl)benzene, 0.18g of 2-methyl-5-(3,7-dimethyloctyl)-p-xylylene dibromide, and 0.0533g of 2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)- p-xylylene dichloride were dissolved in 200g of 1,4-dioxane (dehydrated). The atmosphere of the system was substituted with nitrogen by nitrogen gas bubbling for 20 minutes, and the temperature of the solution was raised to 95 °C. Into this solution, a solution was added dropwise for about 10 minutes, where the solution was prepared by dissolving 1.1g of tertiary butoxy potassium in 30ml of THF(dehydrated), and nitrogen gas bubbling was conducted. After the addition, further reaction was conducted at 95°C for 2 hours. Meanwhile, the reactions were conducted under nitrogen gas atmosphere.

[0116] After cooling, the solution was neutralized by addition of acetic acid. In this solution, methanol was added and recovered the resulted precipitate. After washing with ethanol, the precipitate was dried under reduced pressure to obtain 0.40g of a polymer. Then, after dissolving the precipitate in about 120 g of THF, the precipitate was purified by reprecipitation with methanol.

[0117] The resultant precipitate was washed with ethanol, and dried under reduced pressure to obtain 0.36g of a polymer. The resultant polymer is called Polymeric fluorescent substance 3.

[0118] The number average molecular weight in terms of polystyrene of this Polymeric fluorescent substance 3 was 1.2×10⁵.

Example 1

<Fabrication of device and evaluation>

[0119] A suspension of poly(3,4)ethylenedioxythiophene/polystyrenesulfonic acid (Baytron P TP AI 4083, manufactured by Bayer) was filtrated through a 0.5 µm membrane filter, then spin-coated on a glass substrate carrying thereon an ITO film having a thickness of 150 nm formed by a sputtering method, to give a film having a thickness of 70 nm, and dried for 1 hour at 120°C in an oven. The Polymeric fluorescent substance 1 was dissolved in chloroform solution dried by molecular sieves to produce 0.4% solution. The water content of the chloroform solution was measured as not more than 1 ppm (weight) by Karl Fischer method. Then, using this solution, a light-emitting layer having a thickness of 100 nm was formed by spin-coating on the substrate having the ITO film coated with the above PEDOT. Further, this was dried for 1 hour at 80°C under reduced pressure, then, lithium fluoride was deposited to give a thickness of about 0.4 nm, then, calcium was deposited to give a thickness of 40 nm, and aluminum was deposited to give a thickness of 70 nm as a cathode, to fabricate a polymer LED device. The degrees of vacuum in the depositions were all 8×10^-6 Torr or less. When a voltage of 5.0 V was applied on the resulted device, a current of a current density of 10 mA/cm² flowed, and EL light emission of yellow color having a luminance of 550 cd/m² was observed. In this operation, the light emission efficiency was 5.6 cd/A and the light emission spectrum of the device had a peak at 560 nm.

Comparative Example 1

[0120] 0.04g of pure water was added to 20g of chloroform dried by molecular sieve, and a chloroform solution having 2000 ppm (weight) of water content was produced. Except using the water added chloroform solution, instead of using the chloroform solution dried by molecular sieves, a polymer LED device was produced as the same manner as that of Example 1.

[0121] When a voltage of 5.0 V was applied on the resulted device, a current of a current density of 5.6 mA/cm² flowed, and EL light emission of yellow color having a luminance of 150 cd/m² was observed. In this operation, the light emission efficiency was 2.7 cd/A.

[0122] The polymer LED manufactured in accordance with the present invention has a higher luminous efficiency. Therefore, the polymer LED can be preferably used for devices, such as a light source of curved or flat shape, a segment type display device, and a flat panel display of a dot matrix, etc.

Claims

1. A process for producing a polymer light-emitting device which comprises at least one light-emitting layer comprising a polymeric fluorescent substance, placed between an anode and a cathode at least one of which is transparent or semi-transparent, which process comprises a step of forming a light emitting layer using a polymeric fluorescent substance solution comprising 0.1 to 5% by weight of a polymeric fluorescent substance which emits fluorescence in the solid state, has a polystyrene-reduced number-average molecular weight of 1 × 10³ to 1 × 10⁷, and has at least one repeating unit of formula (1):

        -Ar₁-(CR₁=CR₂)_k-     (1),

wherein Ar₁ is a divalent group forming carbon-carbon bonds with each of the adjacent two groups, the divalent group is an arylene group having 6 to 60 carbon atoms which participates in conjugation or a heterocyclic group having 4 to 60 carbon atoms which participates in conjugation, and the arylene group and heterocyclic group may further have one or more substituents; each ofR, and R₂ independently represent a group selected from hydrogen atom, linear, branched or cyclic alkyl groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, aryl groups having 6 to 60 carbon atoms, heterocyclic groups having 4 to 60 carbon atoms and cyano group, and the aryl group and heterocyclic group may further have one or more substituents; and the symbol k is 0 or 1;
and comprising a solvent selected from the group consisting of chloroform, methylene chloride, dichloroethane, tetrahydrofuran, toluene, xylene, mesitylene, decalin and n-butyl benzene;
the water content of the solution being not more than 1000 ppm by weight.

2. A process according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric fluorescent substance solution is obtainable by dissolving the polymeric fluorescent substance in a solvent selected from the group consisting of chloroform, methylene chloride, dichloroethane, tetrahydrofuran, toluene, xylene, mesitylene, decalin and n-butyl benzene having a water content of not more than 1000 ppm by weight.

3. A process according to claim 1 or 2, the water content of the polymeric fluorescent substance measured by the Karl-Fischer method being not more than 1000 ppm by weight.

4. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of chloroform, toluene and xylene.

5. A polymer light-emitting device which comprises at least one light-emitting layer comprising a polymeric fluorescent substance, placed between an anode and a cathode at least one of which is transparent or semi-transparent, wherein the light-emitting device is obtainable by the process of any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein a layer comprising an electron transporting compound is provided between the cathode and a light emitting layer, adjacent to said light emitting layer.

7. A device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a layer comprising a hole transporting compound is provided between the anode and a light emitting layer, adjacent to said light emitting layer.

8. A sheet light source, segment display apparatus, dot matrix display apparatus or liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a polymer light-emitting device according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

Ansprüche

1. Ein Verfahren zur Herstellung einer polymeren Licht emittierenden Vorrichtung, die mindestens eine Licht emittierende Schicht, umfassend eine polymere fluoreszierende Substanz, umfasst, die zwischen einer Anode und einer Kathode angeordnet ist, von denen mindestens eine transparent oder semitransparent ist, wobei das Verfahren einen Schritt des Bildens einer Licht emittierenden Schicht unter Verwendung einer Lösung einer polymeren fluoreszierenden Substanz, umfassend 0,1 bis 5 Gew.-% einer polymeren fluoreszierenden Substanz, die im festen Zustand Fluoreszenz emittiert, ein Polystyrol-reduziertes Zahlenmittel des Molekulargewichts von 1 x 10³ bis 1 x 10⁷ aufweist und mindestens eine Wiederholungseinheit der Formel (1) aufweist:

        -Ar₁-(CR₁=CR₂)_k-     (1),

wobei Ar₁ ein zweiwertiger Rest ist, der Kohlenstoff-Kohlenstoff-Bindungen mit jedem der beiden benachbarten Reste bildet, der zweiwertige Rest ein Arylenrest mit 6 bis 60 Kohlenstoffatomen ist, der an Konjugation beteiligt ist, oder ein heterocyclischer Rest mit 4 bis 60 Kohlenstoffatomen ist, der an Konjugation beteiligt ist, und der Arylenrest und der heterocyclische Rest außerdem einen oder mehrere Substituenten aufweisen können; jeder Rest R₁ und R₂ unabhängig fiir einen Rest, ausgewählt aus einem Wasserstoffatom, geradkettigen, verzweigten oder cyclischen Alkylresten mit 1 bis 20 Kohlenstoffatomen, Arylresten mit 6 bis 60 Kohlenstoffatomen, heterocyclischen Resten mit 4 bis 60 Kohlenstoffatomen und einer Cyanogruppe, steht und der Arylrest und heterocyclische Rest außerdem einen oder mehrere Substituenten aufweisen kann; und das Symbol k gleich 0 oder 1 ist;
und umfassend ein Lösungsmittel, ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Chloroform, Methylenchlorid, Dichlorethan, Tetrahydrofuran, Toluol, Xylol, Mesitylen, Decalin und n-Butylbenzol;
wobei der Wassergehalt der Lösung nicht mehr als 1000 Gewichts-ppm beträgt, umfasst.

2. Ein Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die Lösung einer polymeren fluoreszierenden Substanz durch Lösen der polymeren fluoreszierenden Substanz in einem Lösungsmittel, ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Chloroform, Methylenchlorid, Dichlorethan, Tetrahydrofuran, Toluol, Xylol, Mesitylen, Decalin und n-Butylbenzol, mit einem Wassergehalt von nicht mehr als 1000 Gewichts-ppm erhältlich ist.

3. Ein Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei der Wassergehalt der polymeren fluoreszierenden Substanz, gemessen nach dem Karl-Fischer-Verfahren, nicht mehr als 1000 Gewichts-ppm beträgt.

4. Ein Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei das Lösungsmittel aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Chloroform, Toluol und Xylol ausgewählt ist.

5. Eine polymere Licht emittierende Vorrichtung, die mindestens eine Licht emittierende Schicht, umfassend eine polymere fluoreszierende Substanz, umfasst, die zwischen einer Anode und einer Kathode angeordnet ist, von denen mindestens eine transparent oder semitransparent ist, wobei die Licht emittierende Vorrichtung durch das Verfahren gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4 erhältlich ist.

6. Eine Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 5, wobei eine Schicht, umfassend eine Elektronentransportverbindung, zwischen der Kathode und einer Licht emittierenden Schicht, angrenzend an die Licht emittierende Schicht, bereitgestellt ist.

7. Eine Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 5 oder 6, wobei eine Schicht, umfassend eine Lochtransportverbindung, zwischen der Anode und einer Licht emittierenden Schicht, angrenzend an die Licht emittierende Schicht, bereitgestellt ist.

8. Ein(e) bahnförmige Lichtquelle, Segment-Anzeigegerät, Dot-Matrix-Anzeigegerät oder Flüssigkristall-Anzeigegerät, umfassend eine polymere Licht emittierende Vorrichtung gemäß einem der Ansprüche 5 bis 7.

Revendications

1. Procédé pour produire un dispositif émettant de la lumière polymère qui comprend au moins une couche émettant de la lumière comprenant une substance fluorescente polymère, placée entre une anode et une cathode dont l'une au moins est transparente ou semi-transparente, lequel procédé comprend une étape de formation d'une couche émettant de la lumière au moyen d'une solution de substance fluorescente polymère comprenant 0,1 à 5 % en poids d'une substance fluorescente polymère qui émet une fluorescence à l'état solide, a une masse moléculaire moyenne en nombre réduite au polystyrène de 1 x 10³ à 1 x 10⁷ et a au moins une unité répétée de formule (1) :

        -Ar₁-(CR₁=CR₂)_k-     (1),

où Ar₁ est un groupe divalent formant des liaisons carbone-carbone avec chacun des deux groupes adjacents, le groupe divalent est un groupe arylène ayant 6 à 60 atomes de carbone qui participe à une conjugaison ou un groupe hétérocyclique ayant 4 à 60 atomes de carbone qui participe à une conjugaison, et le groupe arylène et le groupe hétérocyclique peuvent en outre avoir un ou plusieurs substituants ; R₁ et R₂ représentent chacun indépendamment un groupe choisi parmi un atome d'hydrogène, les groupes alkyle linéaires, ramifiés ou cycliques ayant 1 à 20 atomes de carbone, les groupes aryle ayant 6 à 60 atomes de carbone, les groupes hétérocycliques ayant 4 à 60 atomes de carbone et un groupe cyano, et le groupe aryle et le groupe hétérocyclique peuvent en outre avoir un ou plusieurs substituants ; et le symbole k est 0 ou 1 ;
et comprenant un solvant choisi dans le groupe consistant en le chloroforme, le chlorure de méthylène, le dichloroéthane, le tétrahydrofurane, le toluène, le xylène, le mésitylène, la décaline et le n-butylbenzène ;
la teneur en eau de la solution n'étant pas supérieure à 1 000 ppm en poids.

2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, où la solution de substance fluorescente polymère peut être obtenue par dissolution de la substance fluorescente polymère dans un solvant choisi dans le groupe consistant en le chloroforme, le chlorure de méthylène, le dichloroéthane, le tétrahydrofurane, le toluène, le xylène, le mésitylène, la décaline et le n-butylbenzène ayant une teneur en eau ne dépassant pas 1 000 ppm en poids.

3. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2, la teneur en eau de la substance fluorescente polymère mesurée par le procédé de Karl-Fischer n'étant pas supérieure à 1 000 ppm en poids.

4. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, où le solvant est choisi dans le groupe consistant en le chloroforme, le toluène et le xylène.

5. Dispositif émettant de la lumière polymère qui comprend au moins une couche émettant de la lumière comprenant une substance fluorescente polymère, placée entre une anode et une cathode dont au moins l'une est transparente ou semi-transparente, où le dispositif émettant de la lumière peut être obtenu par le procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4.

6. Dispositif selon la revendication 5, où une couche comprenant un composé transportant les électrons est prévue entre la cathode et une couche émettant de la lumière, en position adjacente à ladite couche émettant de la lumière.

7. Dispositif selon la revendication 5 ou 6, où une couche comprenant un composé transportant les trous est prévue entre l'anode et une couche émettant de la lumière, en position adjacente à ladite couche émettant de la lumière.

8. Source de lumière en feuille, appareil d'affichage à segments, appareil d'affichage à matrice de points ou appareil d'affichage à cristaux liquides comprenant un dispositif émettant de la lumière polymère selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 7.